12 December 2023
IHG Hotels & Resorts and RAK Properties expand strategic partnership with the introduction of ‘Staybridge Suites Mina Al Arab’ in Ras Al Khaimah
Located on Hayat Island, the developement will be designed to meet the needs of extended-stay business and leisure travellers.
Dubai, 12 December 2023: RAK Properties PJSC, (ADX: RAKPROP), Ras Al Khaimah’s leading publicly listed property developer announced that it has expanded it’s strategic relationship with IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG®) with the introduction of ‘Staybridge Suites Mina Al Arab’ on Hayat Island.
The 156-key Staybridge Suites Mina Al Arab will offer studio, one and two-bedroom appartments blending contemporary design with spacious layouts. The 14-storey tower will feature a fully equipped fitness center, breakfast and restaurant areas, combining idyllic island style living with the warm and authentic Arabic hospitality. Guests will also have direct beach access as well as benefit from the luxurious offering of the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa, located within walking distance.
IHG has had a successful partnership with RAK Properties since the signing and opening of InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah in 2022. A testament to their collaborative excellence, the hotel is renowned for its luxurious accommodation, world-class dining options and exceptional spa experiences, making it an all-encompassing destination for travelers.
Sameh Muhtadi, CEO, RAK Properties, commented: “We are delighted to partner with one of the world’s leading hotel companies, IHG Hotels & Resorts, to open our first Staybridge Suites Mina Al Arab in Ras Al Khaimah. We’re witnessing a trend of blended stay, where guests arrive for business but then stay longer for personal travel, and we are plugging the gap for long serviced stay in the emirate. This concept will help us diversify and enhance our hospitality portfolio on Hayat Island, as well as contribute to our food & beverage offering as we look to add considerable additional appeal to our overall hospitality offering on Mina Al Arab.”
According to a report by global network InterNations, Ras Al Khaimah has been ranked world’s fourth best city for expatriates to live and work, based on the high quality of life it offers and job opportunities. With a first place ranking in the expat essentials index, the report noted that the emirate was easiest for expats to get started, housing being affordable and easy to find. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid work arrangements have generated strong demand for longer hotel stays, increasing the popularity of cost-effective extended-stay hotels and making them one of the fastest growing segments in hospitality.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts India, Middle East, and Africa, said: “Ras Al Khaimah is a breath of fresh air for domestic and international tourists alike, with its unique blend of natural beauty, history, and adventure. The emirate is known for its remarkable landscapes and is home to the highest mountain range in the UAE — making it the perfect location for an extended stay to relax, hike, wander, explore and more. Recognising RAK’s increasing potential in becoming a leading extended-stay destination, driven by RAK Tourism’s efforts in solidifying the emirates’ position as the region's fastest growing tourist destination, we have introduced Staybridge Suites Hotel Mina Al Arab — which reaffirms our commitment to providing exceptional experiences to our guests. We look forward to warmly welcoming travellers to experience the unmatched hospitality of this hotel and the exceptional beauty of RAK."
The development forms part of RAK Properties’ broader master plan for Hayat Island, with a wide range of stay offerings, as well as luxurious shopping, dining and entertainment facilities to its residents and guests. Staybridge Suites Mina Al Arab will offer a genuine holiday lifestyle experience while providing the conveniences of everyday life, further reinforcing Mina Al Arab’s position as a people-centric lifestyle destination in line with RAK Vision 2030.
Staybridge Suites Mina Al Arab will be the second development undertaken by the two entities, following the opening of the award-winning Intercontinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa in 2022.
Since its inception in 2014, Staybridge Suites® has established itself as IHG's go-to extended-stay hotel brand, catering to both business and leisure travelers seeking the assurance of branded long-term accommodations in the region. Offering residential-style studios and suites with complimentary daily breakfast buffets, light bites, and a thrice-weekly happy hour, the brand prioritizes comfort and connectivity. With the growing demand for extended stays among business travelers and families alike, the brand steadily expanded, currently boasting nine hotels with 1,648 rooms in the Middle East and four more with 558 rooms in the pipeline.
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For further information please contact:
Ankita Chopra
Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, IMEA
IHG Hotels & Resorts
[email protected]
+971 4 213 6502
Reem Youssef
Executive, Corporate Affairs, IMEA
IHG Hotels & Resorts
[email protected]
+971 4 213 6079
About IHG®
IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.
With a family of 19 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,200 open hotels in over 100 countries, and nearly 2,000 in the development pipeline.
- Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo
- Premium: voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels
- Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Garner hotels, avid hotels
- Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites
- Exclusive Partners: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 345,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.
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About RAK Properties
Founded in 2005 under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, RAK Properties is a leading real estate developer committed to producing exceptional and sustainable destinations. Specializing in contemporary and meticulously crafted communities, RAK Properties integrates excellence, innovation, and nature to create enriching lifestyles in alignment with the aspirations of tomorrow’s people.
Its vision for the future, the success and excellence of its developments were recognized as RAK Properties was awarded ‘Developer of the Year’ 2023 by Construction Week Middle East. At the annual Design Middle East Awards 2023, Bayviews Residences won the ‘Best Residential Project’ where the residential development was recognized as the region's best design and architecture.
RAK Properties plays a pivotal role in achieving RAK Vision 2030, focusing on delivering economic, social, and environmental value, all aimed at enhancing lives and places, and contributing to the prosperous narrative of Ras Al Khaimah.